Ramadan
Possessions are purified by paying zakah to the needy
Source : Cihan News Agency
Beijing | 09 Aug 2011
Zakah, or almsgiving, is one of the five pillars of Islam. Muslims who have accumulated wealth must pay at least 2.5 percent of it to those in need each year. While zakah can be paid anytime during the year, many people prefer to pay it during the month of Ramadan.
The word zakah means both “purification” and “growth.” Muslims believe their possessions are purified by setting aside a proportion for those in need and that like the pruning of plants, this cutting back balances and encourages new growth.
No Ramadan for Uighur Muslims
Source : OnIslam & News Agencies
URUMQI | 06 Aug 2011
Amid fresh arrests, restrictions on fasting and prayers at mosques, Uighur Muslims are suffering under the latest episode of Chinese government crackdown on their ethnic minority in the northwestern region of Xinjiang.
“If any religious figure discusses Ramadan during the course of religious activities, or encourages people to take part, then they will lose their license to practice,” Dilxat Raxit, spokesman for the Munich-based World Uighur Congress, told Eurasia Review on Friday, August 5.
Exorbitant rents leave many unable to spend Ramadan in Grand Mosque
Source : Arab News
MAKKAH | 08 Aug 2011
“High rents have wrecked my plans to spend Ramadan in a spiritual atmosphere in the vicinity of the Grand Mosque,” declared Muhammad Husain, a domestic pilgrim.
Turkish community in Germany celebrates Ramadan
Source : Anadolu Agency
Witten : Germany | 05 Aug 2011
The Turkish community living in Germany celebrates the holy month of Ramadan with a series of events.
Members of the Turkish community living in Germany's western city of Witten try to keep the Ramadan tradition alive by gathering at fast-breaking dinners.
Families break their fasts with traditional Turkish food prepared and served by a chef brought from Turkey at the Ramadan tents set up in the front yard of a mosque in Witten's Herbede town.
Dates in the Holy Qur’an & the Sunnah of the Prophet
Source : Abdul Haleem Nalamkandy | Arab News
02 Aug 2011
The date fruit and tree were dear to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the word “date” is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an more than 20 times.
While the date palm tree is called “nakhl,” the fruit is called “tamr” in Arabic.
The date palm, mentioned more than any other fruit-bearing plant in the Qur’an, is a symbol often associated with Islam and Muslims. Throughout the month of Ramadan, dates are a common ingredient in the Muslim diet.
The Date: A source of nourishment
Source : Roger Harrison | Arab News
02 Aug 2011
The date palm, originating, as best we know, in the Middle East, has proved such a successful plant and source of nourishment that it has spread across the planet.
Ramadan in Russia…long fasting hours and scorching heat
Source : Anas Omar | Islam Online
Moscow | 03 Aug 2011
Ramadan has a distinct feel in Russia, even though there is no observed change; the stores are open, and people go about their day as usual with their usual eating habits.
Ramadan fasting begins
Source : By Ibrahim Abdulaev
Makhachkala | 31 Jul 2011
(IslamDag) - Dagestan will start the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan on Monday along with most other Gulf states, Dagestani Mufti Ahmad Haji Abdulaev said on Saturday.
"I ask Allah to give us the opportunity, strength and health to perform our best worship for Him in this holy month, so that we can commit more good deeds" - he said on nationwide TV address.
UK: Muslim aid launches national Ramadan Charity campaign
Source : World Bulletin
London | 20 Jul 2011
International British charity Muslim Aid has launched a national Ramadan Charity campaign with the support of Asda superstores across London, Birmingham and Manchester.
According to the World's humanitarian news site Alert.net The campaign will see Muslim Aid volunteers give their time to help customers at Asda stores pack their shopping at till points and in return raise money and awareness to tackle global poverty.
